Chapter Five

Leaf

My alarm rings and I snooze it again. I never was a morning person, and winter mornings in Unova just makes waking up so much worse. Who wants to get out of this wonderful, warm comforter and face the world before 10 am? It's late November, barely two weeks before the holidays, and it's snowed twice already. I peek out of my comforter and observe that the windows have frosted with snow at the edges overnight. Great. Another day of trudging in five layers to the Lab.

I grudgingly wake up and pull myself out of bed when the alarm rings a second time. I miss the Fall already. The season of everything pumpkin (I'm going to miss Joan's pumpkin spice lattes, pumpkin pie and pumpkin squash mac n' cheese), apple cider and cinnamon. Cinnamon rolls. Honestly, the amount I think of food when I'm stressed out about research, someone would mistake me for Ash. Although I sincerely believe Gary does his fair share of digging out, he just manages to make it look sophisticated. Maybe food obsession is a Pallet Town trait.

The dark roast from Joan's brews as I slip into a warm sweater (Christmas gift from Grandpa Oak last year) and black jeans. I figure it will be a long day at the Lab because there's lot of data entry work to be done. Don't get me wrong-I love research, I do. I find it more satisfying than training. But there are parts of the job that aren't particularly exciting. And the fact that I'm so anxious that I'll mess up in front of Gary that I'm always triple checking anything I submit for review.

I tie my long hair up into a bun, making a mental note to cut it short again. I wash my face, and apply the least amount of eyeliner, just to salvage my appearance and look more awake than I am in reality. I try to blow the bangs off my face as I crack some eggs. If I have to deal with Gary Oak all day, might as well pack in the protein. I think Unova winter makes him extra grumpy, because (even though he doesn't like to admit it) he feels so cold. Once my eggs are scrambled, I settle down to quickly gulp down breakfast. I glance at the clock, which inches towards 8 50. If I hustle, I'll make it right at 9. I quickly grab my coat and bolt out of my studio.

But, of course, Gary Oak is already at the Lab because he is Gary Oak. When the man actually sleeps is beyond me. He literally lives on black coffee. I find him in the Lab already, and peek to find that he is marking up chapter 42 with his red pen (I hate the red pen) as he sips on what seems to be his 3rd cup of coffee that morning (I see two empty mugs). A young Eevee is nuzzling up to his arm, as he pushes his glasses up in frustration.

"Morning, Grumpy" I say, as I hang my bag and my coat, and pick up my notepad and laptop to begin data entry for chapter 44. I'm quite sure Gary has figured this out by now, but I try to stay one chapter ahead when it comes to review. Just to ensure I have some breathing space.

"Leaf" he says, and I wince. I know that tone. Either I've made a mistake that he thinks is silly of me or, he doesn't get something I've written there. I hope it's the former. Else I have to get ready to argue why I've put something in there that he doesn't quite agree with. He pushes the marked-up report across the table where I've just settled down. "Please explain that to me." Oh, damn.

I look at the page he's referring to, and notice he's circled a column in red.

"What's wrong with this?" I ask, as nervousness and annoyance begin an inward battle inside me, "It's the numbers I've plugged in for the effects of artificial Pokémon food on Growlithe and effects on a fully evolved Arcanine."

"Which isn't consistent." Gary snaps, Jeez what's up his crow.

"It's not about inconsistency," I say, "Data is data. Sometimes, artificial Pokémon food doesn't have an effect on a Growlithe's natural growth, sometimes it does. There's no pattern here."

"Is this part of your field research?" Gary asks roughly, as he takes another swig of his coffee.

"Yes," I say, my nervousness tinting my voice, "Professor Juniper and I did this together-we used the new line of instant Pokémon foods."

Suddenly, we both hear a loud whimper.

Is that?

I dart across the Lab to Arcanine's bed. Gary follows me closely behind. She's curled up in the fetal position, whimpering softly.

"Arcanine?" I call softly, but she doesn't respond. She looks like she's in pain. "Sweetheart, what's wrong?"

She doesn't even lift her head.

Gary moves forward and touches her, but she only yelps in response. He looks worried.

"Gary" I say, frightened almost, "We have to get her to Daisy. I have never…"

"Yeah," he says, I can see he's as tensed as I am, and he's already whipping out his phone. "Call Professor Juniper and let her know?"

"Of course," I say, taking my phone out and composing a fast message to her on the Centre's internal messaging system. Juni is rarely in before 10 am.

Leaf Green: Juni, Gary and I walked in the Lab this morning to find Arcanine whimpering and in lot of pain. Taking her to Daisy's clinic. I'll keep you posted.

I hear Arcanine whimper again and my heart just breaks. "There there big girl." I try, in an attempt to soothe her, "We'll take you to Daisy and fix the problem okay?" I give her my hand to hold.

What can I say? I'm very attached to my Pokémon. And I've been with Arcanine throughout this project. She's a fierce girl, but she's also playful and so so affectionate.

I don't know how I'll take it if something happens to her.

No no no no no.

"Alright," Gary says, interrupting my thoughts, "We've got to get her to the hospital. Daisy isn't going to be in yet for a couple of hours, but her apprentice, Dr. Whitford, will look at her and run a couple of tests."

I just nod in response, barely registering what he's saying.

"Leaf" he says, throwing me his car keys, "Can you drive?" I catch it despite being horribly zoned out and worried.

"Oh?"

"Look," he says, holding me by both shoulders, his voice dropping a bit. "It'll be fine." He says softly,

"I'm going to lift her up gently," he says, shrugging into his coat, "come on!"

I snap back into reality. "Right." I say, "Yes. Dr. Whitford. Hospital. Tests."

I realise, rather belatedly, that Arcanine is fully evolved female Pokémon and I wouldn't be able to carry her. At this moment, I'm grateful that Gary is strong and tall and can lift her easily.

She whimpers loudly as Gary lifts her but snuggles into his arm as he soothes her. We rush to his red corvette (how this car still functions so well is beyond me, but Gary does take an extraordinary interest in his car), and I hold the door open and Gary glides in easily.

I don't register the short ride to the hospital. I'm only glad that Unova is a metropolis and everything is everywhere. My head is filled with thoughts about Arcanine. Oh god. What could be wrong with her?

I try and think of where she's been lately. She was in pretty good health the past few months. She was eating well and being really cooperative with the physical experiments. She even had a trip to the breeder's so there can't be any complaints there. What could possibly be wrong? We also had any untoward physical experiments checked by the board. We were doing simple stuff- like if there was really a co-relation between daily exercise and evolving or if a high-protein diet was actually beneficial.

Because it's so early, we find a parking spot easily. I park and literally jump out of the car, to help Gary out. I pull open the door, and we rush to the reception.

"Hi," Gary says, to the receptionist, who instantly bats her eyelids at him Really? The man is carrying a whimpering Arcanine "I'm Dr. Oak's brother, I called earlier?"

"Of course," she says, glancing at me and giving me a dirty look, Lady, I'm not boning him, can you please do your job.

"Dr. Whitford is in Examination Room 3. Just straight down and the first room to your left."

I bolt towards Examination Room 3, with Gary following close behind. I nearly burst open the door into the room, before remembering that I'm at a hospital, and I do not want to come off across as some harrowed psychotic woman.

There's a young man standing by the operation table checking his pad. "Umm," I ask, "I'm looking for Dr. Whitford."

"I'm Dr. Whitford," he says and gives me a kind smile. He's Dr. Whitford? He looks like an intern. I chastise myself.

Gary finally catches up, carefully holding Arcanine, "Dr. Whitford?" He nods, and Gary carefully, lays Arcanine on the operation table. "Gary Oak, I'm Daisy's brother?" he extends his hand. Dr. Whitford takes it. "Of course." He then approaches Arcanine and gently strokes her fur. "You said she's been whimpering and in a lot of pain?"

"Yes," I say, getting impatient, Could you please tell us what is wrong with her?

Nurse Joy walks in with a couple of medical blankets and places a hot pack. It helps, Arcanine seems a little calmer, but still makes little sad sounds.

"So," Dr. Whitford says, "Her vitals are normal, I'm just going to quickly run a blood test and a scan"

"We'll wait." I reply quickly.

"Alright, umm.. Ms. ?"

"Green." I say, "Leaf Green. I work at the Advanced Research Centre uptown? I'm listed as her primary caretaker."

"Right." He says, "Let me quickly run a couple of tests and I'll keep you posted. We might have to keep her here for just a night for observation if anything crops up. But I'd suggest you come back in a couple of hours."

'Sure, Dr. Whitford" Gary replies for me, "Leaf here is just worried."

"Naturally," he says, and I notice he has very kind eyes. "I will call you as soon as I have the test results. Dr. Oak should also be in by then, so you'll have the full de-brief."

"Of course." I manage, "Thank you. I'll see you this evening then." I gulp.

I spend the rest of the day in a daze, constantly looking at the clock and cursing it because time was moving so slowly.

Finally, at around 3 pm, I give up. I sigh loudly. I think Gary catches it.

"I know." He says, finally.

"What if it's my fault?"

"Why will it be your fault?"

"What if I did something wrong?"

"Did you do something wrong?"

"Dunno. Maybe? Why else is she sick?"

"Leaf-" he begins, and we are interrupted by his phone ringing. He glances at it, "It's Daisy," he says, picking it up and putting her on speaker.

"Gary?" Daisy's soft voice comes through.

"Hey, sis" he says, "So, what do we have on Arcanine?"

"Well," she says, and her voice is light, happy almost, "I think you and Leaf should come down here. It's um, unexpected."

"Unexpected?" I gasp, "Was it something I did? Is she going to be alright?"

Daisy laughs, "It's a good unexpected, come on over."

What can be good and unexpected?

I'm thankful that Gary is driving, but let's get real, allowing me to drive the red corvette was in a once in a blue moon event. The worst part is that I didn't even register if I enjoyed driving the car.

Oh whatever, it looks like Arcanine is going to be okay.

Luckily, Daisy is waiting for us at the reception, so I don't have to face the wrath of another Gary Oak fangirl. I really want to see Arcanine and make sure she's okay. We find her in Examination Room 3, playing with Nurse Joy and Dr. Whitford. She looks playful and cheerful. I feel a big relief envelope me.

"She's alright?" I whisper, "Hey big girl." I say, and when I stretch my hand to hold her paw, she takes it and beams at me.

"So," Gary says, "What's the good unexpected news?"

"Well," Daisy says, and then gives a big smirk, one that is so similar to Gary's, "Arcanine, like me, is pregnant."

"What?" I gasp, rather loudly, registering that both Daisy and Arcanine are pregnant.

Gary just stands there speechless.

"Wow" he manages finally, "I mean, Arcanine I kind of figured."

"You didn't" I retort

"Well, Leaf," he says, rolling his eyes, "unlike human females, Arcanines get horrid cramps. And especially since you told me she was so happy after she went to the breeders….."

"Ewww.. Gary!" I say, and then turn to Daisy, "Oh my god, Daisy! That's incredible news. Congratulations!"

"Thanks." Daisy says, "Well, Leaf, looks like you've a lot to handle now with Arcanine pregnant. But I'm sure you'll be great."

"Of course," I say, and happiness washes over me, This means it's working! My mind wanders into how I can discuss bringing in the relationship between health and procreation in a bonus chapter. I can also add foods for pregnant Arcanines- won't that be pathbreaking?

"Leaf" Gary says gruffly, "Stop thinking of all the new chapters you're going to write."

Grumpy Gary.

"Speaking of which," Daisy says, "Gramps doesn't know yet, but he's coming over for the weekend, so I trust you'll keep the surprise when we're at the holiday party together?"

"Of course." I say, Daisy has this annual Holiday Party right before the start of the holidays and it's one of the best. Daisy and Hans are extremely friendly, and sometimes I feel like they know all of Unova (which is always impossible because people are constantly moving here). I always end up meeting really interesting people there. It's where I met Cilan, Fennel, and even well, Trip.

I spend the next few days in a happy blur. Juni and I are so excited to study a pregnant Arcanine. Gary thinks we're nutty, but what does he know anyway. I am actually enjoying the whole process- I made her bed comfier, got some adorable pillows and blankets to keep her warm. Juni even got out a low heating pad so that she's warm throughout the night. Gary even grudgingly helped us in devising a "pregnancy diet" for her.

Saturday comes around, and for a change the weather is sunny and crisp. Like one of those last Fall days you have before you're barraged into monstrous cold. Over the week, I've spent long hours in tweaking my report to fit in findings from Arcanine's pregnancy. I'm exhilarated. Although Hélène usually sends me fancy clothes to wear for all these events (You are my granddaughter at the end of the day, l regardless of not pursuing a career in the performing arts) , I choose to wear a brick red sweater (to keep with the theme of Fall/Early Winter) and black jeans that I pair up with black boots. I style my hair such that it comes down it waves.

I take in much of uptown Unova as Gary drives Juni and me to Daisy's house. I'm excited to meet Professor Oak (more to get his reaction to the whole thing). Great grandkid. That must be something.

Hans has gone all out for the party. The house is bustling with people and there's a huge "CONGRATS!" balloon tied to their cherry tree. I quickly lose both Gary and Professor Juniper- each tending to their own inner circle at this huge party. I send Cilan and Fennel a text each, and make my way to the drinks table, opting for some eggnog.

"Ms. Green?" I hear and I spin around

"Dr. Whitford!" I exclaim, "How nice to see you!"

"Please, call me Henry" he says, as he reaches out for a bottle of beer, "How is Arcanine now?"

"Pampered," I say, and he smiles, as he pops open the bottle. "And Leaf, please."

"So," I venture, noticing for the first time that Henry is actually quite cute. In a nerdy sort of way. "How do you find this fair city?"

"Huge," he says, and I laugh, "I'm a small-town guy, so this is overwhelming."

"I know." I say, "When I got here I felt so lost. You have no idea the number of times I've gotten lost and Professor Juniper has gotten to find me."

He laughs, and it is a simple carefree laugh. I find myself checking him out. Jeez, Leaf. Get a grip.

But he's a doctor! And a cute one at that.

"I never pegged you as a small-town girl though" he says

"Pallet." I smile

"Famous Pallet Town." He says, "Home to Ash Ketchum, the Oaks."

"What can I say," I flirt, "we're a smart town."

"Speaking of which," he asks, "where's your boyfriend? I haven't seen him around."

"Boyfriend?" I ask, perplexed.

"Oh," he says, looking genuinely confused, "Aren't you dating Gary?"

"Gosh no," I laugh, "Gary thinks I'm perpetually 5 years old and between you and me, I think he gets really awkward if he hears of my dating life. Besides, he's my research supervisor and we work together." Do we give off a couple vibe? I never thought we did.

"Ah," he nods in understanding. "So, tell me about Unova because I could use a bit of information on the basics."

From then on conversation flows freely and I find Henry (I'm still wrapping my head around the fact that he isn't the Dr. Whitford I pictured- an old, grumpy doctor) very affable. And cute. Did I mention how cute he is? I introduce him to Cilan, Fennel and Nanette and find him very likable and friendly. Fennel even winks at me.

When Daisy grabs him to introduce him to Professors Oak and Rowan, I finally get the chance to gush to Fennel and Nanette.

"I approve" Fennel says, "He's cute."

"Plus," Nanette adds, "He's a doctor. He's like the kind you'd date in the long term."

"Well," I say, "I'm not sure of dating in the long term. I need to go on a date with him yet."

"Oh, come on" Fennel says, taking a sip of her red wine, "He's totally the guy who'll charm Hélène and Lauren off their feet. He's the guy you introduce to the family."

"Let's not get ahead of ourselves" I say, finally, even though I had already imagined dating him on the regular a few moments ago.

It's late by the time the party wraps up, and I take the opportunity to chat with Henry some more. When Gary signals that it's time to drive back home, I feel my heart sinking. Henry and I are standing by Daisy's patio, taking in the lights, engaged deep in conversation. We've discovered a lot of mutual interests and I don't feel like having just a casual fling with him. And, he's a doctor. No dating complications. I realise, and I feel so happy, that I'm finally ready to date again after breaking up with Rudy.

"So," I say, gulping, nervous "Gary's my ride back to the Centre.." Ughhh. I'm usually not nervous when it comes to men.

"Oh," Henry says, and there's a pause, "Hey, how do you feel about getting coffee?"

"Tomorrow?" I ask, hoping that I didn't sound too eager.

"Tomorrow's perfect." He says, " I have a night shift, so I can probably meet you before I head to the hospital?"

I give him a big smile.